November 25, 2007	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 14, 1428

NEW DELHI, Nov 24: Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan believes Misbah-ul-Haq can fill void in the team left by former skipper and master batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Misbah played a gutsy innings of 82 in the first innings of the ongoing Test against India in Delhi, to keep his team in the hunt.

“The innings by Misbah was very matured and he seems to be an ideal replacement for Inzamam. Misbah can play big shots like those we saw in the Twenty20 World Championship, and when we need a more defensive knock he can play that too, like we saw in Delhi.

“He has waited a long time for his chance so I am sure he is now determined to make the most of his opportunities,” stated Younis, one of the strongest pillars of Pakistan batting line-up.

Misbah’s brilliant rearguard action helped Pakistan amass a healthy 231 in their first innings of the Delhi Test.

In reply, India could not take maximum advantage and were bundled out for 276 in their first innings.

“In terms of the Test series, we feel 231 was a good score on that first day in Delhi because conditions for batting were very difficult.

“Those hazy conditions made batting tough though playing with a red ball was easier than it would have been with a white one,” expressed Younis.

He reflected back on the one-day series that Pakistan lost 2-3 and said his team didn’t take their chances.

“Of course the one-day series was also close at 3-2 and even though some may say India had won it before the fifth match, we feel we should have won two of matches we lost in Guwahati and Gwalior,” Younis said.

“We have been getting on with India players well though there hasn’t been too much socialising. I speak regularly to guys like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Rahul Dravid. But we haven’t been to dinner or anything like that. We might just sit together at functions where both teams are invited. Spirit among the players is good, though,” Younis said.—Agencies